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Willoughby: Piano tuning heaven
By Tim Willoughby Follow at Aspen Times
· July 18, 2026
· 4 min read
The orchestra tunes, and then, in a piano concerto, the conductor and guest pianist enter, and the concert begins. You have not likely thought about the piano being tuned. You can watch and hear four-string instruments like a violin, bass, viola or cello tune, but consider what needs to happen fo...
Key takeaway You can watch and hear four-string instruments like a violin, bass, viola or cello tune, but consider what needs to happen for a piano with 280 strings.
Why this matters in Aspen News
Aspen 's unique climate poses a significant challenge to piano tuning, with the dry high-altitude air causing the wood to shrink and the strings to stretch. This requires specialized expertise, as evidenced by the work of Kurt Oppens and Robert Schoppert, who tuned the Festival's pianos for decades. The fact that the pianos had to be stabilized with two tunings after arrival in Aspen highlights the complexity of the task. The lack of heat in the tent, except for a few experimental seasons, added to the difficulty, as the pianos had to be tuned in cool to cold conditions, only to be played in a warmer environment hours later. This demanding environment has earned Aspen the reputation as "piano tuning heaven," a testament to the skill and dedication of the technicians who work behind the scenes to bring world-class music to the community.
About this story
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Category: local ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The orchestra tunes, and then, in a piano concerto, the conductor and guest pianist enter, and the concert begins. You have not likely thought about the piano being tuned. You can watch and hear four-string instruments like a violin, bass, viola or cello tune, but consider what needs to happen fo...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tim Willoughby Follow at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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